Literature is a powerful tool in providing youth with a realistic perspective of older adults and the aging process, complete with its triumph and despair, normative illnesses and extraordinary accomplishments. —Jarrott & McCann 306
Research by Jarrott & McCann and others finds that positive relationships with older adults can elevate a young person’s quality of life by shaping his or her notions about elders and the aging process (299). And while direct contact with older adults is essential, books can help young readers see the potential for positive relationships, access role models, and begin to learn some of the lessons that come with age. As librarians, we are in a position not only to provide young readers with books that feature positive intergenerational relationships, but also—through library services—to help foster such relationships in the real world.
This site is designed for librarians looking for novels, especially young adult fiction, exploring positive intergenerational relationships between teens and older people, whether family members or non-family members. Below are the types of intergenerational relationships explored in this website. To find out more about generations and intergenerational relationships, see What is a Generation?
Relationships between older relatives and teens
These include, but are not limited to, relationships between teens and parents, grandparents, aunts, uncles, extended and adoptive family members.
Relationships between older non-relatives and teens
Common non-relative relationships appearing in YA novels include those between teens and teachers, friends, mentors, family friends, and any other non-relative relationships.
Note: Because siblings are generally of the same generation, sibling relationships are excluded from this website, although they are an important feature in YA literature and merit their own study. Relationships with younger children are also out of scope, as this website focuses on connections between young adults and older generations.
Included here are reviews of novels that represent just a few examples of young adults in intergenerational relationships, focused on the following themes:
Librarians will find novels that meet a variety of reading interests for young patrons. Included are classics such as Catcher in the Rye by J.D. Salinger (1951), The Pigman by Paul Zindel (1968), and The Chocolate War by Robert Cormier (1974), as well as more contemporary works like Push by Sapphire (2009), Matched by Ally Condie (2010), and Between Heaven and Earth by Eric Walters (2012). A range of genres is represented, including dystopian and science fiction, graphic novels, LGBTQ fiction, multicultural fiction, realistic coming-of-age fiction, romance, and urban fiction. Publication dates range from 1951 to 2012.